Rough_ER
Member
Sorry, but what makes a species a species is that it can only reproduce with others of its kind. Because it makes you sad it doesn't change the facts.
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What Makes Us Human?
- Thread starter rojse
- Start date
Sorry, but what makes a species a species is that it can only reproduce with others of its kind. Because it makes you sad it doesn't change the facts.
DarkSun
:eltiT
Rough_ER
Member
I wasn't disagreeing with you. I was merely commenting on the facts.
Well you have to understand... I'm only speaking in the very technical sense. I'm a zoology student and spend my time fondling reptiles and inspecting the inner ear of whales and such. I know that life is more beautiful than any simple definition could ever express. I just wish people didn't feel so ashamed to be just another animal.
DarkSun
:eltiT
I'm a Health Science student. =P
I'm studying Pharmacy at Uni. and I'm hoping to get into research.
So don't worry. After doing six months of Biology, I can see where you're coming from.
Rough_ER
Member
That might be it! Although we can't be sure. Bonobos are pretty reflective little dudes, in fact sometimes they can be seen just looking up at the sky as if pondering some deep philosophical idea. In truth, they're probably thinking about sexual positions, but still. We can't be sure! =)
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
Sorry.... but this is untrue.
Rats can compare and contrast what they do know, what they think they know, and what they know they don't know... this is called metacognition.
Tool using birds are able to compare and contrast what tools are proper for what jobs and if needed what order multiple tools should be used.
Dolphins have demonstrated the ability to innovate on many levels. Including recently learning to adopt tool use for the first time.
wa:do
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
I wouldn't put it past elephants... have you ever seen how they treat their dead and dying?
wa:do
DarkSun
:eltiT
Rough_ER
Member
No?
How do they treat them?
Elephants have been known to visit the skeletons of their dead years after and stroke them for hours. It's hard to believe they have no concept of death given this slightly macabre observation.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
They are particularly interested in skulls... but some have been known to carry body parts of close friends/relatives for days or more, and repeatedly mouthing them.
Mouthing is part of the Elephant greeting ritual... where elephants that know one another but have been separated for a while... trunks and tusks are placed in each others mouths.
Also elephants are known to try to prevent sick and elderly members from lying down, going so far as to surround them and prop them up or to prop them up against trees. When they do finally fall they try to pick them back up.
When they finally die, the herd protects the body until hunger and thirst drive them to move on.
News in Science - Elephants mourn their dead - 04/11/2005
Roar Africa Tails: Goodbye, old friend (Elephant mourning his friend)
Animal Planet :: News :: Elephants Mourn Their Dead
Elephant Grieving
wa:do
Mouthing is part of the Elephant greeting ritual... where elephants that know one another but have been separated for a while... trunks and tusks are placed in each others mouths.
Also elephants are known to try to prevent sick and elderly members from lying down, going so far as to surround them and prop them up or to prop them up against trees. When they do finally fall they try to pick them back up.
When they finally die, the herd protects the body until hunger and thirst drive them to move on.
News in Science - Elephants mourn their dead - 04/11/2005
Roar Africa Tails: Goodbye, old friend (Elephant mourning his friend)
Animal Planet :: News :: Elephants Mourn Their Dead
Elephant Grieving
wa:do
In addition to Painted Wolf's more scholarly observations, how do you explain that my dog will suddenly leap down from the futon, trot downstairs, find the toy he wanted, and return with it, if he didn't have some sort of non-physical mental construct of it?
BucephalusBB
ABACABB
Yeah, but I have seen dogs with wheels to help them "walk" and I have seen dogs with fashionably clothing..
Breast implants is only one step away..
Whereas with humans, we're pretty sure that when they stare off into space for hours at a time, they are thinking about sexual positions.
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
if that happens, i think its safe to assume it'll be Paris Hilton's dog.:thud:
rojse
RF Addict
But humans made all of those things. Presumably the breast implants will be, too.
Good chance human civilization has been motivated by the same instinct as ant colonies, or the technology of beaver dams. The dividing line between human beings and other animals is the manipulation of language, symbols, and abstract concepts. The reality of free will and self-consciousness is also debatable.
